Table 1 Lithium disilicate and zirconia: pros and cons

Pros

Cons

• excellent optical characteristics and good

mechanical properties

• clinical versatility

• biocompatibility

• favourable abrasiveness

• marginal accuracy and internal fit

• high strength of adhesion to the substrate

• monolithic and layered

• glaze coating and fluorapatite ceramic veneering can increase wear

• critical to adjust intraorally

• chipping of the veneering ceramics

Pros

Cons

• excellent mechanical characteristics and

good optical properties

• excellent biocompatibility and low plaque

retention

• favourable wear behaviour

• implant abutments for esthetic sites

• crack-hindering potential (through PTT)

• marginal accuracy and internal fit

• monolithic and layered

• opacity

• unetchable with conventional methods

• low temperature degradation and aging

• critical to adjust intraorally

• glaze coating and fluorapatite ceramic veneering can increase wear

• chipping of the veneering ceramics